Has BMW really become that bad?

[Qunadry]

Once again a new BMW has lost a comparison test. Just got my April Car and Driver and a 435i lost out to a Audi S5. The 435i was not rated bad, just not as good as the S5. Furthermore, it is hard to tell the BMW from the Audi in most of the pictures that did not show the front of the cars. Once upon a time BMW's toasted all the competition, now the new models are losing on a regular basis. Guess all the effort is going into models like Grand Coupes and mini-vans is taking a toll from the rest of the line-up. Thank God I have a 135i.

[stormzusmc]

While the S5 is an older platform I'm sure the 435i being newer did well against it..however I would think a more fair comparision would be the A5 vs 435i....or S5 for M4 whenever that comes.

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by stormzusmc

While the S5 is an older platform I'm sure the 435i being newer did well against it..however I would think a more fair comparision would be the A5 vs 435i....or S5 for M4 whenever that comes.

The A5 is more like a 428i, and the M4 is more like a RS5. I would to see those comparisons. I do not prefer Audis to BMWs (I have owned a TT and an A5 and in both cases went back to BMW), just not happy with where BMW is headed.

[stormzusmc]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

The A5 is more like a 428i, and the M4 is more like a RS5. I would to see those comparisons. I do not prefer Audis to BMWs (I have owned a TT and an A5 and in both cases went back to BMW), just not happy with where BMW is headed.

Yeah maybe you're right on that.

[MightyMouseTech]

Seriously:

A5 -> 428
S5 -> 435
RS5-> M4

[stormzusmc]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Seriously:

A5 -> 428
S5 -> 435
RS5-> M4

I think that was just said....

[IEDEI]

i don't even read car magazines or comparison tests any more.....they're just idiotic. Lots of them are sponsored by certain companies, etc. THAT being said.....the new BMWs are 'soft'. The only ones i am interested in are the next M3 and the M2. Not really interested in anything else...

i think the 135 may have been one of the last great BMWs.....aside from the upcoming M cars. the standard cars coming out now are very Camry-ish as i noticed on my test drives of various 3-series models before getting my 135.

[litebulb]

Granted though it was a 2010 but I drove my friends MT A4 last week and I hated it. The shifting and handling felt wrong and was so disconnected. I started to nick pick everything, even little details like why the zero on the gauges start at bottom where I couldn't see the first 1500 RPM. I'm glad to have purchased my 135i, it has changed my views and what to expect a proper vehicle should be. Maybe down the road I'll trade my cabrio for a M car and have my mind blown all over again.

[RaceTruk]

Originally Posted by litebulb

Granted though it was a 2010 but I drove my friends MT A4 last week and I hated it. The shifting and handling felt wrong and was so disconnected. I started to nick pick everything, even little details like why the zero on the gauges start at bottom where I couldn't see the first 1500 RPM. I'm glad to have purchased my 135i, it has changed my views and what to expect a proper vehicle should be. Maybe down the road I'll trade my cabrio for a M car and have my mind blown all over again.

Can't compare an a4.
My s5 which I traded for a 335 was better in ever way but modability. (And gas milage but that's not something I care about). Interior on the audi was nicer, more premium feeling.
Regret trading that car in.

[JimD]

My view is cars in general are getting better and better. BMW might not be improving as fast as somebody else but they are improving too. I don't have much experience with Audis but I haven't been impressed. I don't need or want 4WD which they seem to include on a lot of models. I read the are hard to work on. They seem to have lots of turbos but BMW is going that direction too.

I'm out of town right now and driving a new (less than 50 miles) Kia Sorento - a SUV. I think it is a 4 cylinder. It is a surprisingly nice vechicle versus any Kias I've been in before. I've driven a X3 and X5 and they are nicer but I think BMW has to keep improving as fast as possible to stay in the lead. The Kia is pretty quiet, the rpm at cruising speed is not that high, the interior is logically laid out and feels high quality. The last SAV I drove was a X3 with the turbo 6 and it was noticably more powerful and somewhat nicer but for the money difference I am thinking I might need to look around and include the Kia (if my wife will go along).

Jim

[RoundelM3]

The car magazines can say what they want, but my M-Sport F30 335i with PPK has more than enough power, and with DHP I can stiffen the suspension and steering and increase the throttle response for canyon-carving while still getting 32+ MPG on the road and 28 around town. Try that with a Camry. I can see how maybe a base-line F30 328i or 320i might have that feel (and sound), but they're more on the entry-level side of the equation. The best way to determine what car to buy is to go test them yourself, as everyone will have a different opinion based on what they like and dislike.

That said, I think BMW's got too many models these days, and some that I still don't quite understand what the draw is - like the 3 and 5 GT. And the 4-series Gran Coupe? I drove a 640i GC and liked it, but it was a little too heavy for my tastes. Don't think I'd be willing to pay the extra cost for a 4GC for essentially the same car with a swoopier roofline. Don't get me started on the X6, either - that has to be BMW's great "abomination".

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by roundel335

That said, I think BMW's got too many models these days, and some that I still don't quite understand what the draw is - like the 3 and 5 GT.

Total agreement... Too many choices dilutes the brand and steers the company into mediocrity.

[daflamme]

Well to say BMW has got too many models, you've not look at Audi's and Mercedes' line ups

[Dani_x]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Seriously:

A5 -> 428
S5 -> 435
RS5-> M4

+1

Personally I like the a5 platform. It looks elegant and sexy from ever angel. The 4 is great but not as sexy as A5.

[Overpar56]

I read the same article. It's funny that many readers complained that BMW must pay the mags that rate them top picks and when it's not on top, complain it's an unfair comparison.

I think Audi has a much better interior design than BMW. At least they integrate the navi screen into the dash. Electric steering assist isn't doing BMW any favors. Maybe they bought it from Hyundai.

I was looking at a 435i while in CA this week. It's huge! It's bigger than a 5 series from only a few years ago.

Would I buy another BMW? To soon to tell. I've only owned mine less than 6 months. The little ergonomic things in the interior (radio controls suck) and the stupid armrest/cupholder design add up. I didn't buy it for cup holders though. Two or three years from now if I start looking for a new/used car I don't see anything I like from BMW with the current lineup, except that cute i3

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by Overpar56

I read the same article. It's funny that many readers complained that BMW must pay the mags that rate them top picks and when it's not on top, complain it's an unfair comparison.

I think Audi has a much better interior design than BMW. At least they integrate the navi screen into the dash. Electric steering assist isn't doing BMW any favors. Maybe they bought it from Hyundai.

I was looking at a 435i while in CA this week. It's huge! It's bigger than a 5 series from only a few years ago.

Would I buy another BMW? To soon to tell. I've only owned mine less than 6 months. The little ergonomic things in the interior (radio controls suck) and the stupid armrest/cupholder design add up. I didn't buy it for cup holders though. Two or three years from now if I start looking for a new/used car I don't see anything I like from BMW with the current lineup, except that cute i3

I was not complaining that BMW lost; I would have been surprised if it had won. My complaint is that BMW is trying to become all things to all people and is now failing at what once made it great. I doubt I would buy any of the new BMW's.

[Dafttt]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

I was not complaining that BMW lost; I would have been surprised if it had won. My complaint is that BMW is trying to become all things to all people and is now failing at what once made it great. I doubt I would buy any of the new BMW's.

Yep.

Looking for a DD?

228i
328i
428i
528i

Need space?

328i wagon
328i GT
428i GC
528i GT

Wait, you wanted extra ride height?

X1
X3
X5

Wait, you want it to look like a car again?

X2(?)
X4
X6

Are you full retard?

Active Hybrid 3
Active Hybrid 5
Active Hybrid 7

Great BMW, heck congratulations, you've managed to fulfill the last 5 people on earth who weren't satisfied with the previous lineup. BMW's only competition is itself.

[sixburgh]

They diluted the brand. Our brand. I still have respect for my BMW 128i. I am a single person and enjoy exhilarating rear wheel drive and a silky smooth six.
However, my dear friend just bought (his and hers) 2 door and 4 door Audi V-8's. Chagrin.

[x97Melbourne]

I agree!! I had a similar rant on my page I started about the watered-down brand: I just your complete post! Great minds think alike.

Here it is if you want to read my rant:

Several mentions of the Car & Driver Article featuring the S5 vs. 435i made me read it for myself. And, for those who aren't regular readers, C & D is "die hard" BMW ultra-fans....BMW has won every single head-to-head contest (not counting the last 2 years). If C&D is no longer favoring BMW, something is wrong, and it can't be my imagination.

Both cars are of equal price and should attract cross shopping.

For those who haven't seen the article, here are some of the things that caught my eye:

Mind you, this is the brand new model, BMW's pride and joy at the moment, the 2014 435i M-Sport 6-MT. A $57,000 car. Their finest work right now in this price range!

Exerps: edited for clarity and so understood taken out of context:

"Audi's aging S5, introduced in 2008 still represents the 435i's greatest threat" p. 35
Seriously....a 2008 Audi represents a threat? Really? Isn't this supposed to be a brand new BMW 2014 model? BMW can't come up with something to beat a 2008 car of similar price in 6 years??? Really?? Good job BMW -- a 2008 Audi beat you!

(BMW) "Isolated Chamberride" p. 36
Isolated??? WHAT???? Aren't BMWs supposed to be the Ultimate Driving Machine?!?

"435i was perfectly serene -- hushed inside, with barely a hum from beneath the hood" p. 37
What is this a Cadillac? Who doesn't want to hear the engine note on an M-Sport 435i? Who screwed up at BMW?

(BMW) "The driver is isolated from the wheel and suspension...and the slow steering feels numb"p. 37
"The BMW is isolated and aloof" p.38
Again...good job BMW


Hey, I'm just a little bitter at the car company I love so much is getting it totally wrong. Gotta go....I need a martini.

[Overpar56]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

I was not complaining that BMW lost; I would have been surprised if it had won. My complaint is that BMW is trying to become all things to all people and is now failing at what once made it great. I doubt I would buy any of the new BMW's.

Didn't mean you but letters to Ed typically complain C&D is bought by BMW.